Tag Archives: copyright

From St Dizant du Gua in the Auvergne region of France to my garage is quite a journey. It was while I was tidying up my garage (an on-going process) that I came across this mixed case of Pineau. It has been lying hidden in my garage for so may years I had forgotten it’s existence.

Many years ago while driving through France on holiday we came across the utterly charming little Chateau de Beaulon. The main attraction for me were the grounds and the Blue Fountains but we were met by the owner and invited to sample the produce – well what can you say. Obviously I was impressed since I came away with a case including tasting notes.

Now after lying so long in the ever changing temperatures of a garage including two of the coldest ever winters and situated close to the central heating boiler I imagined an investment gone wrong. Nope – the wine is as good as the day I bought it.

If you are ever in this region I heartily recommend a stop. If you want to know more follow this link. http://www.chateau-de-beaulon.com/site/une_tradition/index.php?l=en

Over the last couple of weeks I have been doing commercial photography, wedding photography and all the associated editing. This morning I was supposed to be preparing materials for prospective wedding clients but… I heard the weather forecast. Today was to be the last sunny day for a week so let’s change plans. I’m a great believer that your schedule should be driven by you and not the other way round. Within a few miles from my home is a small but nicely diverse forest and with the promised sun shining I jumped in the car and this is the result of a very enjoyable hour in good autumn/winter bracing air. Perhaps not classic landscape photography but I wanted to convey the openness of a forest at this time of the year along with the colour, shadows, light and space.

For any photographers reading this all the photographs were taken with a 20mm lens on a full frame camera with minimal cropping. In my humble opinion the only way to go. Any comments you may have (good or bad) just drop a line in the comments box at the end of the post.

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of Matthew and Caroline in Northern Ireland. The wedding service was in county Down and the reception was held in the Carrickdale hotel. This photograph was taken in the gardens of the hotel late in the afternoon.

I will be blogging more of this wedding later but this photograph is just a sneek peek!

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall came to the historic village of Gracehill today. Now living here does not usually involve visits of this nature so nothing else for it – grab camera and go. Gracehill village is one of only a few completely original Moravian villages and over the last couple of years it managed to attract heritage funding to restore the old school house. Hense the reason for the royal visit. The sun shone and the crowds came out to greet our guests who visited the old school house, the Moravian church and other scheduled appointments.

If there was a down side I suppose the waiting was inevitable and the distance from the opening of the visit was obscured by the press and security gang. In saying that the police were courteous and accomodating anf the royal couple did do the rounds with patience and grace.

Some photographs from the day taken from behind the crowd barrier to follow.

The first view is of the press and security

I did say Gracehill was a historic village. We don’t still dress like this!

Following on from the last post of the pre wedding photography of Matthew and Caroline I just wanted to post a few more photographs taken on a day of very changeable weather. Where I had a camera in my hand all the time (obviously) the lovely couple were never far away from the umbrella!

Again I must say I was very impressed with the variety of scenes in Lady Dixon Park in Belfast. Now on with the photographs. If you would like to leave a comment just scroll down to the bottom of the page.

A fun and relaxed couple – Matthew and Caroline on a typical Northern Ireland summer day with heavy rain and some glorious sunshine meant lots of dashing in and out of cover. The happy couple are getting married later in the year and we met up in Lady Dixon Park outside Belfast for their pre wedding photography session last week.

Below are a few photographs from the day. All comments welcome.

Just a fun photograph to show how bad the rain was on the day. I’m sure Matthew and Caroline won’t mind being reminded!

Recently I took a short break to Barcelona. Incredibly I have never been in Spain before on holiday so I really didn’t know what to expect apart from the obvious Gaudi influence. What a revelation. An incredible city. Great people, great food (if a little different at times), fantastic sights and a very easy city to walk around. The only down side was there was no sun for most of our trip. In fact on the bus on the way to the city from the airport the very large puddles made us exchange worried glances. It turned out not cold but just slightly overcast most days. Now being a tourist (even though I like to think I am a traveller) I went out on the first morning wearing shorts – yes you guessed it I was the only person in Barcelona wearing shorts! Boy did I get some looks and not only from my wife and none of them were admiring.

The general routine was relaxing – up early get out walk all day, back to the hotel, change, walk and find good food, hotel and do it all again the next day. Below is a small selection of photographs from the loads I took. I suppose they sum up my experience of the city. If you’ve been there you may have a different impression. If so I’d love to hear. Anyway all comments would be appreciated. Now on with the photographs in no particular order.

It had intended to be a walk on the beach but the weather decided otherwise. Rather than just give up, go home and make a cup of tea I decided to wait it out just to see what the weather would do. On the north coast of Northern Ireland there is always the chance the weather will change quite quickly and with that the light also.

While I was watching through the rain I could see it clearing but at the same time another front moving in. In the short dry interlude I managed to get these two photographs. Beach weather no but the drama in the storm building and the short but dramatic piece of sunlight made it all worthwhile.

Seascape with horse and rider

Seascape with storm incoming

Thoughts or comments? I would love to hear them. Just scroll up to the top of this post and click on add comment.

I have to confess I have a thing for doors and windows in my photography. Slightly strange I know and my family really don’t understand the folders on my systems with strange names like Doors, Windows, Arches. Even better most of my fascination is fuelled by French doors and windows. There is a reason – honestly. Travelling in France as I have done over lots of years you come across a massive variety from ancient to decrepit to ultra modern. I freely admit that not everyone on the same journey as me will notice these objects and probably even fewer will really take the time to photograph them and eventually catalogue them.

Below is a small selection of the many, many images I have from my obsession. I have the feeling there will be more of this on this blog in the future. If you feel the desire to leave a comment scroll down the page after the images and there is a comment box. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Ancient door

Not sure if I’d want to work here. Not sure if it is open.

Open for business?

Cat at peace

There must be something about cats and windows.

Cat and window - again!

Now for something new. I loved the reflection of the old building in the ultra modern new one.

I have just spent the last couple of days inside photographing car interiors while the sun was shining outside. Don’t get me wrong it was really quite good fun with the smell of leather and the shine of chrome but when the sun is shining there is only one place to be and that is outside. Anywhere as long as it is outdoors.

As usual on a Saturday morning I was up early with my coffee wandering round the garden and noticed that the last couple of days of sunshine had ripened the lilies. Probably ripened isn’t the correct botanical term here but you get my drift. So coffee down and out with the camera for some gentle relaxing photographs.

Although I love landscape photography I am not a flora kinda photographer but this is the result. Here is one captured and processed this morning.

Flower photography - Lily

And just round the corner I noticed that lovely early morning light on some poppies and well here’s the result. In fact this might be worth getting a print made. Quite often with the digital age photographs only exist on a monitor which is a real shame.

Backlight poppies

Any thoughts or comments please scroll down and leave me your words in the box below.